Adding feathers to bow backing "Help"

[horatio1226]

Man, that is gorgeous!

[Danzn Bar]

OK .... any time ....hope you kick that stuff...................
DBar

[Fred Arnold]

DBar, I did a little research on the epoxy you mentioned. Where's the best place to purchase it? I see it on the auction site. How much is needed and does it have a shelf life?

[Danzn Bar]

Fred,
I use the flex coat "lite" it is thinner and lays down better.  I haven't bought any in a long time maybe 5 years, I would get it at Cabelas or Bass Pro.  I need to buy some now and noticed that they do not carry it anymore    But, I just found out my wife purchased some for me at Amazon she got free shipping.  My guess as far as amount would be....to coat one avg. wide bow back would be about 1 oz. I only mix enough to do one coat at a time.  The work time is about 1 hour so you have to flip the bow from belly to back about every ten minutes for and even cure.  Make sure before you start that you have a way to do that.  As far as shelf life I've had it over five years with no problems.  I believe you can buy it in 2, 4 and 8oz amounts. I generally buy 4oz at a time except this time I did 8 do to availability and I'm wanting to do about 4 bows in the next year or so with it.  I glue down the feathers with it using a very soft hair brush.  Do not brush the feather much, if the vanes break apart they stay apart and let the back show through and not look as good IMO.
Good luck and post your results and any other questions, I'll do my best to answer.
Bill

[Buckeye Guy]

Be cool to have one done that way DBear but I don't have that kinda patience !

[missilemaster]

Holy cow Bill, That looks stupendous! Is that the one you were working at Marshall?

[Danzn Bar]

Yep,  Cody that is the one, I tried to take a cheaper route on it and glue down the feathers with a softer finish/glue than the two part epoxy.  The flex coat (final finish) cracked after many shots but it was in below freezing weather when I shot it.  At Marshall I ended up scraping off the old finish and feathers and added a real nice WDB skin I traded with Dan (DGF).  Didn't put a real glossy finish on it and now it's my hunting bow for this year.  I've done other bows with feathers and flex coat with no problems as long as you use the same material gluing and finishing.
DBar 

[TRACY]

I ran into a guy at a small gathering in Richmond, KY that had done some feather backing that would knock your eyes out!  What was his name. . . . . ? Gummy Bear?. . . Bear Bait?. . . .Bear Azz?. . .Anyway, his was excellent indeed.  He is quite the arrow builder as well.

I like gummy bear! hopefully Bill saw this after sending you some of his awesome arrows. Liable to get pieces

[Gsulfridge]

Just trying to brighten someone's day at Bill's expense. Sorry Bill